It’s a garden at a railway station - but which station?

Most transport maps show you where things go. This one was designed to change a habit. See more about our work for Northumberland County Council: transportdesigned.com/work/ncc-int...

Absolutely delighted that Mini Switzerland has received backing from Government, less than 12 months since the project kicked off. It's now a funded project that will become the national demonstrator of Swiss-style transport integration.

🐶 'Who let the dogs on?' The final station opens on the Northumberland Line line this weekend, and on Monday, Northern are giving away free travel to the first 25 people to turn up with Bedlington Terriers! www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/people/...

And a celebrity home again too!

Celebrity guest star for my train to work this morning

Our beautiful Settle & Carlisle line is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year! We're expecting to carry record-breaking numbers of customers over the line to enjoy those breathaking views. Cracking coverage on the Beeb 👇

This is an absolutely bonkers story for so many reasons. Absolutely nobody is buying the excuse that the company requires its staff to own a car under 10 years old for 'their safety'. And what about public transport users? Cyclists? Can they apply for jobs here? Shame on you, Haart.

So, who's at Interchange tomorrow? ☕️

This article sums up the precise reasons we need Proportional Representation, now. The duopoly might be on the way out, but stepping into the void is a toxic, divisive politics where most of the votes cast are wasted, and people are forced to vote tactically to stave off the worst-case scenario.

I won't comment on the by-election result, other than to say: the Conservative party, as an entity, is completely and utterly done for. But Tories aren't. They're just wearing a different-coloured mask.

Just over 10 years ago, the Elizabeth line was named in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Visiting London over half term, I was astonished to see the impact it has had on getting around the city since opening fully in 2023.

A spot of DLR-hopping this evening…

Fantastic to see my Mini Switzerland idea covered by the BBC. It captures so many people’s imaginations because it’s both obvious, simple and yet - from where we are today - unspeakably radical. Please share! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Absolutely stunned that I've only just found out that Burnage is part of the Gorton & Denton constituency. I grew up around the corner from the Gallaghers - yet I most 'definitely maybe' do not identify as being a child of Gorton, or indeed Denton, which might as well be on a different planet.

Heard about this earlier on the Today programme - fantastic news!

All the years I’ve been using Hebden Bridge station, and it’s the first time I’ve spotted this old throwback!

Update: tickets are now completely SOLD OUT!

Only around 30 tickets remain - they're selling fast!

🚨 BREAKING: Northern will run a train over a heritage line for the first time EVER on Sunday 22 Feb, and tickets are now on sale. A class 158 will depart Darlington at 0946 for Bishop Auckland, where it will join the Weardale Railway and run over the full length of the line to Stanhope and return.

Calling all cartography lovers! Some subtle (and some not-so-subtle) updates have been made to Northern's network map. 🙌 Check it out - as ever, grateful for all feedback! transportdesigned.com/whats-new-in...

I've setup a new Starter Pack: Transport Writers of Bluesky. It's looking a bit sparse at the moment, so please suggest your favourite transport journalists, writers and creators to be added, or drop me a DM if you'd like me to add you to the pack 👇

Just a little bit of a distraction heading into the office this morning, thanks to this pair of Colas HSTs at Manchester Piccadilly.

Just terrible news coming out of Spain this morning. Thoughts with the victims and all of those affected.

This is just one of the many reasons I’ve now left Twitter. You should do the same.

Here it is - the brand new TV ad from Northern, launching today.

That's it! Twitter profile locked. 🔐 Not yet deleting my profile as I still need to dig out the odd historic tweet every now and then, but I'll only be posting on here from now on. It's a much nicer place to be 🙂

From today's Express: 'UK's underused train route takes you through 75 miles of jaw-dropping scenery for £4' 👇 'For the price of a coffee and croissant, you can swap city pavements for cliffs, beach walks and fish-and-chips on the promenade.' www.express.co.uk/travel/europ...

🐝 ONE YEAR TO GO. 🐝 Fantastic to celebrate one year until Northern customers in GM are part of the Bee Network today, alongside friends and colleagues including @andyburnham.bsky.social - and one special yellow train! Northern x Bee Network. Let’s do this 💪

Seems my earlier post about new GBR branding has whipped up the Farage supporters and Russian bots on the other hellsite. I thought they liked flags? 🇬🇧

Shiny new GBR-ness at Manchester Piccadilly.

🗺️ Rail maps have been in the news this week, so I thought I'd share a sneak preview of the project I'm currently working on.

Announcing ‘A Mainline Station Heritage Artefacts Collection’ I have been thinking *a lot* about heritage artefacts at mainline railway stations over the last few years. They are so important in telling the story of the railway station at which they are located (and quite often the history of the…

Fantastic to hear inspiring and uplifting presentations from @andyburnham.bsky.social & our very own Tricia Williams at Northern. Integration is happening. We’re not waiting for GBR to legislate - we’re working together to deliver for our customers, now.

🎄 Two of these five lovely towns to visit at Christmas by train feature Northern stations - Hexham and Knaresborough! Whilst Hexham is still on my 'to visit' list, I can personally vouch for beautiful Knaresborough (at any time of year). Brill piece in @theipaper.com: inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...

Copilot is undoubtedly the dumbest 'AI' I've ever encountered. That said, most Microsoft products these days are lowest common denominator junk, which is why I avoid like the plague.

On your marks…get set…race!

First time spotting Rail Clock in the flesh!

It’s ironic. The city that Donald Trump covets above all others, roundly despises his existence and kicks him squarely into the dirt at every opportunity. Congrats @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social!

There's a new timepiece in town! Rail Clock is a masterclass in meaningful simplicity. It's not every day the railway gets a new clock - this is something very special. I've penned a few quick thoughts about it for @transportdesigned.com: transportdesigned.com/theres-a-new...

On my way back north after attending the unveiling of the new rail clock at London Bridge; the timepiece is all at once disarmingly simple and delightfully ingenious…

Now appearing at stations all over the North - these lovely new leaflets promoting destinations across the network. Pick one up from a station near you!

⚡ 30.09.25 ⚡️

I’ve lived with iOS26 for over a week now and can honestly say it’s just the absolute worst. How could Apple have shipped such utter crap? Steve Jobs would be spinning in his grave.

The inside track on the creation of the ever-so-pretty (and substantially more useful) new Northern network map. Fascinating stuff. Designers are so clever.

🗺️ A month or two ago, Northern quietly launched a new network map. It started out as my personal pet project, born out of an ever-so-slight frustration that the existing map didn't actually show you where trains went. Which is sort of...fundamental, really.

As cartography gaffes go, this is quite a big one... www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

This must be relatively rare - don’t think I’ve ever seen an Avanti on P2 at Piccadilly before!

🤔 Well this is new… TPE and Northern working together to deliver for customers whilst Huddersfield station is closed as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. It means a 6-car Class 185 to Brighouse for me this morning!